Thumbs Up Erbium 15micron Peel (Arctic Peel)

I had this 20 minute procedure in a plastic...

28 Aug 2010

I had this 20 minute procedure in a plastic surgeon's office spa in April of this year. It's been about 4 months and generally I and certain close friends do notice a modest improvement in smoothness. At baseline, my skin is generally very oily, large pores on nose especially, and I've had significant chin acne (almost gone with spironolactone). After procedure, it is less oily overall and perhaps more smooth when putting makeup on. I did not have any improvement in a 1cm melasma besides my L eye so I was disappointed there. The procedure itself wasn't too intolerable with cool air applied during laser treatment. However, the immediate aftermath of the procedure itself was extremely painful. Must be what a real 2nd-3rd degree burn feels like; treacherous stinging day and night for minimal the first 3 days despite petroleum dressing, aloe, cortisone, etc. It took a full 7 days before I could be seen in public as my face turned very brown/blotchy first, then crinkled and slowly peeled inch by inch. I probably would not put myself through that hell again, although it satisfied a one time curiosity in the quest for better skin.